Having safe, accessible, and attractive parks and green spaces is crucial for encouraging people to stay active, as highlighted by both the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) ‘Global Action Plan on Physical Activity’ (2018-30) and the International Society for Physical Activity and Health’s (ISPAH) ‘8 Investments that work for physical activity’.
The COVID-19 pandemic further demonstrated the value of parks and green spaces, as more people started using these areas to support their physical and mental health. However, the pandemic also revealed that access to high-quality green spaces is often inadequate and unequal among different communities.
To make parks more inclusive and welcoming, especially for women and girls, initiatives like Making Space for Girls and guidelines from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) and The Park Watch report offer valuable insights. These guidelines suggest improvements in park design and management to ensure that everyone feels safe and comfortable using these spaces, regardless of the time of day or season.
Our work on Parks and Green Spaces
Active Calderdale is focused on improving and strengthening the current systems for managing parks and green spaces. Our goal is to create lasting, sustainable changes that encourage collaboration across organisations and ensure communities actively participate in creating and enjoying high-quality parks.
By partnering with existing council departments and involving the community, we aim to enhance parks in a way that ensures they remain safe, accessible, attractive, and sustainable. This approach not only improves the parks themselves but also fosters a culture where residents can be physically active and enjoy long-term benefits.
Original pilot park:
First phase priority areas:
- Cornholme
- Mixenden
- Park ward (People's Park and Brackenbed)
- Rastrick
Building Partnerships & Connections
We're focused on collaborating with various services and organizations to make parks and green spaces safe, accessible, attractive, and sustainable. In Calderdale, multiple groups contribute to maintaining and improving these areas, including:
- CMBC Green Spaces and Street Scene Service (GSSS)
- CMBC Neighbourhood Service
- CMBC Community Safety
- Voluntary groups (e.g., Friends of Groups)
- Relevant Housing Associations
- CMBC Sport Services and Leisure
- Corporate Asset and Facilities Management (CAFM)
- CMBC Countryside and Woodland Service
- Local community assets
Previously, these services worked independently, each with their own priorities and budgets for parks and green spaces. Our new approach brings these groups together to form strong partnerships aimed at creating community-led parks that are safe, accessible, and attractive.
These partnerships are responsible for developing and implementing improvement plans for each park, supported by investment from Active Calderdale and other sources. By fostering a collaborative, multi-agency approach, we ensure that services and organisations work together effectively, leveraging their unique skills and resources.
This teamwork has already resulted in significant matched funding, highlighting the commitment of all involved to this unified approach. The creation of partnership groups lays the foundation for success, ensuring that community involvement is central to making parks and green spaces better for everyone.
Example 1: Cornholme
In Cornholme, identifying land ownership was challenging. Using Earthlight, we found that Housing and Regeneration owned land at Palma Street. After identifying the correct contact, we discussed community-suggested improvements and established a process with Housing and Regeneration. This process ensures any community-identified improvements are explored if funded by Active Calderdale/Active Parks.
Example 2: Shroggs Park Pavilion and People’s Park Bandstand
We needed key asset information while working on the community-led Shroggs Park and People’s Park projects. Including CAFM in discussions ensured we stayed informed about asset statuses and ongoing improvements funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).
Process Improvements
Key contacts were identified, and processes were established for better communication and meeting attendance. CAFM now has designated contacts who attend Park Partnership meetings when required and address issues as needed. If legal status questions arise, an Active Calderdale Community Project Manager (CPM) will identify land ownership using Earthlight and coordinate with the relevant department to discuss improvements based on community input.
Next Steps
Sport England is providing additional funding to improve parks and green spaces further and encourage community engagement, participation, and interaction within these spaces. The funding will focus on four additional locations:
- Dixon Scar Woods, Sowerby
- Akroyd Park, Boothtown
- Hullen Edge Park, Elland
- Beechwood Park, Ovenden
By working in these new areas, the goal is to build on previous community-led improvements, making positive changes based on local input. This approach aims to have a greater impact on more communities in Calderdale and strengthen the work already done in these parks.